In honour of NAIDOC Week 2019, the Shoalhaven Historical Society has shared the unique life story of the man known as Marvellous. DURING 1920 an itinerant Indigenous man from the Wiradjuri tribe, John Noble who preferred to be known as "Marvellous", made what he regarded as a triumphant return to the Shoalhaven. Well-known around this district and beyond, his death reported in one newspaper had been picked up by other country journals believing it to be true. Arriving at Nowra, he took up a position on a street corner and proclaimed, "Marvellous come to life after being dead twice!" after which he laughed heartily. According to Austin Boyd whose family conducted the Bridge Hotel, Marvellous would invariably be in town at the time of the annual Nowra Show. Late each afternoon when he was ready to perform, young Austin would alert the hotel patrons as well as the men working at nearby businesses such as Barnes' Garage and Ison's Mill. Marvellous would lay a kangaroo skin on the ground to encourage his audience to toss a few coins, and he would start by dancing and chanting in a mini-corroboree. Then he would throw boomerangs, and to the watching schoolboys they seemed to travel almost to Ferry Lane before returning it to the skillful Marvellous. While in Nowra, Marvellous would stay in the stables at the rear of the Bridge Hotel before moving on. There is also a reference to him performing at the 1914 Milton Show. Marvellous was the subject of a 1920 column from a writer who used the non-de-plume of The Wanderer, but was obviously a priest who ministered in widespread Australian places and also abroad. They had first become acquainted at Moruya in 1915, and a couple of years later he regarded it as a privilege to baptise Marvellous. On completion of the ceremony, Marvellous had wept with delight and exclaimed "I feel better now, Father". Before they went their separate ways, Marvellous explained his plans. Interested in more historical yarns? Find them here. "I go first to Gundagai and pass the winter there; then I go to Wollongong and Nowra and Kangaroo Valley." The wandering preacher would shortly be going overseas, but he had a vivid memory of the man who bade him goodbye, "Bare-footed, laden with a swag and a heavy heart as he trudged off". Marvellous was present in Canberra for a significant historical event, the opening of Parliament House by the Duke of York in May 1927. Among the crowds lining the route to greet the Duke and Duchess was Marvellous, said by the Sydney Morning Herald to be "the uncrowned King of Queanbeyan". It provided a description of him, "His black countenance was almost hidden behind a shock of hair and beard; barefooted and carrying a sugar bag in one hand and a tiny Australian flag in the other". As the royal couple approached, Marvellous brought his hand up in a military salute, and the Duke acknowledged him, responding with a wave. There is some conjecture whether the Herald was actually describing Jimmy Clements ("King Billy"), but both men were in Canberra for the opening. Neither had been invited, although they made their presence felt in what may have been an expression of Aboriginal rights.

According to Austin Boyd whose family conducted the Bridge Hotel, Marvellous would invariably be in town at the time of the annual Nowra Show.

Late each afternoon when he was ready to perform, young Austin would alert the hotel patrons as well as the men working at nearby businesses such as Barnes' Garage and Ison's Mill.

Marvellous would lay a kangaroo skin on the ground to encourage his audience to toss a few coins, and he would start by dancing and chanting in a mini-corroboree.

While in Nowra, Marvellous would stay in the stables at the rear of the Bridge Hotel before moving on. There is also a reference to him performing at the 1914 Milton Show.

Then he would throw boomerangs, and to the watching schoolboys they seemed to travel almost to Ferry Lane before returning it to the skillful Marvellous.

While in Nowra, Marvellous would stay in the stables at the rear of the Bridge Hotel before moving on. There is also a reference to him performing at the 1914 Milton Show.

Marvellous was the subject of a 1920 column from a writer who used the non-de-plume of The Wanderer, but was obviously a priest who ministered in widespread Australian places and also abroad.

They had first become acquainted at Moruya in 1915, and a couple of years later he regarded it as a privilege to baptise Marvellous. On completion of the ceremony, Marvellous had wept with delight and exclaimed "I feel better now, Father".